Colorado State volleyball looks to get out in front

Rams face three straight on the road

By Mike Brohard Sports Editor

Posted:
09/25/2013 08:09:15 PM MDT

Colorado State libero Jamie Colazzi returns a shot during a victory over Missouri State at Moby Arena on Sept. 11. After going through their non-conference schedule unbeaten, the Rams return to Mountain West play with three straight matches on the road.
(STEVE STONER)

FORT COLLINS -- The road was a dreaded place for Colorado State last year, especially early in the season.

The Rams dropped their first five road matches last year and started 1-3 in road Mountain West matches. It put them immediately in catch-up mode all season, and thanks to closing out 5-0 away from Moby Arena, a fourth straight conference title was theirs.

The Rams would love to avoid that scenario this year, and the next two weeks will provide them the opportunity with the next three Mountain West matches on the road, starting Thursday at Air Force (3-10). That is followed by a Saturday tilt with New Mexico (10-1), the team that started the early trend in 2012.

"I think it's really important because we know being in conference, that's our main focus right now," junior middle Kelsey Snider said. "Especially being on the road and putting the importance on conference games, they are huge matches."

Before anybody may take a peek forward at the Lobos, CSU coach Tom Hilbert wants to make sure his players give the Falcons their full attention. Despite the record, he said Air Force is a much improved team and a tough place to play.

"First of all, it's two difficult places to play," Hilbert said. "Our first challenge is making sure our team understands how improved Air Force is. It's hard to play well there too, because they're almost at 8,000 feet. But they're good. You watch them on film, it's like a completely different team. The one kid, (Akokwe Clement), she was like their only good player last year and now she's like fourth. They've got an opposite who is really good. Air Force is a legit team, and we have to go in there believing that."

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Just as important, the Rams believe they are a viable team away from Fort Collins. The Rams have already posted three road victories (two were technically neutral sites), with the competitive tone of the team being their main asset.

"I do. I think we're definitely a good road team this year," sophomore libero Jaime Colaizzi said. "We have that mentality where we're going to work our butts off to win no matter what gym we're in. It's harder to be on the road, and New Mexico is I think a hard place to play in. I honestly have no doubts. I'm really confident in us for this week and next week as well."

The match with the Lobos has an interesting catch. New Mexico leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.099), with the Rams second. But the flip side is Colorado State leads the Mountain West in hitting at .322 clip.

How the Rams attack the defensive mentality of New Mexico will be crucial, Hilbert said.

"Then you go to New Mexico which is a team that plays well at their place, they have big crowds, they're competitive and their coach tells them how disrespected they are, and they're going to come out puffing their chests out," Hilbert said. "They're good. The thing that's impressive about them is they're leading the conference in defensive hitting percentage. They're blocking very well and digging very well. They are playing the defensive side of the ball really well."

New Mexico's Chantale Riddle leads the MW in points per set (4.57), while Miquella Lovato is second in digs (4.75). Colorado State counters with an offense that has been balanced across the board and a team that has played well on defense, as well.

With an expectation of playing well, the Rams do head out with confidence. If last year's team learned anything, it's that results aren't guaranteed, an important piece of knowledge they have tucked away.

"I think that last year was tough because our first road games were similar to this one," Colaizzi said. "I feel like maybe we walked into it thinking, 'we'll win, we always win.' We don't expect anything. We just work. I think that's what's really cool about this team this year. I'm confident for our road matches."